Analogs of [1,7-di-alanine, des-19-leucine]calcitonin

ABSTRACT

New hypocalcaemic peptides are disclosed of the formula ##STR1## wherein X represents H for the replacement of the N alpha amino group or acyl groups for the acylation of the N alpha amino group, the N-alpha amino group. The acyl groups are carboxylic acids especially formic, acetic, propionic, buteric, valeric, hexanoic, heptanoic, octanoic, and nonanoic acids or their respective isomers, L-lactic acid and the half amides of malonic, succinic, glutaric and adipic acids. Y is L-valine, glycine, L-methionine, L-alanine, L-leucine or L-isoleucine.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to calcitonin substitution analogs having biological activity and to processes for preparing such calcitonin analogs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All known natural calcitonin peptides contain an amino acid sequence of 32 amino acids, and have a disulfide bond connecting the cysteinyl residues at positions one and seven. The natural calcitonins include the salmon, eel, chicken, bovine, porcine, ovine, rat and human calcitonins. Salmon calcitonin, for example, for the following formula: ##STR2##

In U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,926,938, 4,062,815, 3,929,758, 4,033,940, 4,336,187, 4,388,235 and 4,391,747 are disclosed improved syntheses of calcitonins including the salmon calcitonin referred to above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have discovered synthetic calcitonin analogs of the above-mentioned naturally occurring calcitonin peptides with 31 amino acids that have biological activity of the same type as the known calcitonins.

The significant differences in structure are that in our new peptides (1) the cysteines at positions one and seven are replaced with alanines, (2) the N alpha amino group may be acylated or deleted, (3) position 8 can be substituted with one of the following amino acids glycine, L-valine, L-alanine, L-isoleucine, L-leucine or L-methionine, and (4) 19-Leucine is omitted. These new peptides are termed [N alpha-acyl (or Des-1-amino), 1,7-Di-Alanine, (8-amino acid), Des-19-Leucine]calcitonins using the IUPAC-IUP method of nomenclature for synthetic modifications of peptides [Biochem. J., (1984) 219, 345-377].

The peptides are of the formula: ##STR3## wherein X represents H for the replacement of the N alpha amino group, the N-alpha amino group or acyl groups for the acylation of the N alpha amino group. The acyl groups are C₁₋₁₀ carbon containing carboxylic acids especially of formic, acetic, propionic, buteric, valenic, hexanoic, heptanoic, octanoic and nonanoic acids or their respective isomers, L-lactic acid and half amides of malonic, succinic, glutaric and adipic acids.

A particularly preferred new peptide is [N alpha-Propionyl, 1,7-Di-Alanine, Des-19-Leucine]calcitonin.

The formula of [N alpha-Propionyl, 1,7-Di-Alanine, Des-19-Leucine] salmon calcitonin having activity of the same type as known salmon calcitonin may be written as follows: ##STR4##

The formula of [N alpha-Propionyl-1,7-Di-Alanine, Des-19-Leucine] eel calcitonin may be written as follows: ##STR5##

The formula of [N alpha-Propionyl-1,7-Di-Alanine, Des-19-Leucine] chicken calcitonin may be written as follows: ##STR6##

As may be seen from the formula given above, 31 amino acids are involved. The positions are numbered according to the accepted procedure beginning at position 1 for the Ala on one end of the chain, and ending with Pro at position 31 at the other end of the chain. For clarity of description, this same numbering system will be followed in referring to the cycles of the synthesis. The assembly of the amino acids begins with cycle 31 which involves the coupling of proline and continues with cycle 30 which involves the coupling of threonine, etc.

In general we use a solid phase methodology of synthesis and start with a resin called benzhydrylamine resin (BHA resin). This resin is derived from a cross-linked polystyrene bead resin manufactured by copolymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene. Resin of this type is known and its preparation is further demonstrated by Pietta et al. [Pietta, P. S. and Marshall, G. R., Chem. Commun., 650 (1970)], and Orlowski et al., [J. Org. Chem., 41, 3701 (1976)]. The cross-linked polystyrene BHA resin is available from chemical supply houses. We use the designation. ##STR7## to represent the BHA resin in which ○P is the polystyrene portion of the resin.

Resin Peptide Synthesis

In this synthesis the amino acids are added one at a time to the insoluble resin until the total peptide sequence has been built up on the resin. The functional groups of the amino acids are protected by blocking groups. The alpha-amino group of the amino acids is protected by a tertiary butyloxycarbonyl group or an equivalent thereof. This alpha-tertiary butyloxycarbonyl group we designate as BOC. The hydroxyl functions of serine and threonine are protected by a benzyl or benzyl derivative group such as 4-methoxybenzyl, 4-methylbenzyl, 3,4-dimethylbenzyl, 4-chlorobenzyl, 2,6-dichlorobenzyl, 4-nitrobenzyl, benzhydryl or an equivalent thereof. We use the term Bz to represent the benzyl or benzyl derivative group.

The hydroxyl function of tyrosine may be unprotected, may be protected by a benzyl or benzyl derivative group as described above, as a Bz group, or may be protected by a benzyloxycarbonyl or a benzyloxycarbonyl derivative such as 2-chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl or 2-bromobenzyloxycarbonyl group or equivalent thereof. We use the term W to represent either no protective group, a Bz group, a benzyloxycarbonyl group or a benzyloxycarbonyl derivative group.

The guanidine function of arginine may be protected by a nitro group, a tosyl group or an equivalent thereof. We use the character T to represent either a nitro group or a tosyl group. The epsilon-amino function of lysine may be protected by a benzyloxycarbonyl group or a benzyloxycarbonyl derivative such as a 2-chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl, 3,4-dimethylbenzyloxycarbonyl, or equivalents thereof. We use the character V to represent benzyloxycarbonyl group or a benzyloxycarbonyl derivative group. The protective groups used on the imidazole nitrogen of histidine are the benzyloxycarbonyl group and benzyloxycarbonyl derivatives such as described above for lysine and are designated as V. The gamma-carboxylic acid group of glutamic acid is protected by a benzyl or benzyl derivative group such as described for the protection hydroxyl function of serine and threonine. These protective groups are represented by the character Bz.

Preferred amino acid reactants for use in each of the 32 cycles of the synthesis of salmon calcitonin (used for exemplification only) are given in the following Table I:

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                         Cycle                                                                          Number   Amino Acid Reactant                                                   ______________________________________                                         31       BOC-- .sub.--L-proline                                                30       BOC--O--benzyl- .sub.--L-threonine                                    29       BOC--glycine                                                          28       BOC--O--benzyl- .sub.--L-serine                                       27       BOC--glycine                                                          26       BOC--O--benzyl- .sub.--L-threonine                                    25       BOC-- .sub.--L-asparagine p-nitrophenyl ester                         24       BOC--O--benzyl- .sub.--L-threonine                                    23       BOC--omega-nitro- .sub.--L-arginine or BOC--                                   omega-tosyl- .sub.--L-arginine                                        22       BOC-- .sub.--L-proline                                                21       BOC--O--bromobenzyloxycarbonyl- .sub.--L-tyrosine                     20       BOC--O--benzyl- .sub.--L-threonine                                    19       BOC-- .sub.--L-glutamine p-nitrophenyl ester                          18       BOC--epsilon-CBZ-- .sub.--L-lysine or BOC--epsilon-                            2-chloro-benzyloxycaronyl- .sub.--L-lysine                            17       BOC--N(im)-CBZ-- .sub.--L-histidine                                   16       BOC-- .sub.--L-Leucine                                                15       BOC-- .sub.--L-glutamic acid gamma-benzyl ester                       14       BOC--L-glutamine p-nitrophenyl ester                                  13       BOC--O--benzyl-L-serine                                               12       BOC-- .sub.--L-leucine                                                11       BOC--epsilon-CBZ-- .sub.-- L-lysine or BOC--epsilon-                           2-chloro-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine                                   10       BOC--glycine                                                           9       BOC-- .sub.--L-leucine                                                 8       BOC-- .sub.--L-valine                                                  7       BOC-- .sub.--L-alanine                                                 6       BOC--O--benzyl- .sub.--L-threonine                                     5       BOC--O--benzyl- .sub.--L-serine                                        4       BOC-- .sub.--L-leucine                                                 3       BOC-- .sub.--Laasparagine p-nitrophenyl ester                          2       BOC--O--benzyl- .sub.--L-serine                                        1       BOC-- .sub.--L-alanine                                                Acylation                                                                               Propionic acid                                                        (alternate for                                                                          Propionic acid                                                        Des-1-Amino)                                                                   ______________________________________                                          Each of the amino acid derivatives mentioned in Table I may be purchased       from supply houses.                                                      

CYCLE 31 Coupling Of Proline To BHA Resin

The reaction vessel used in all steps of the resin peptide synthesis may be a glass vessel equipped with inlet ports at the top for addition of materials and a sintered glass disk at the bottom for removal of soluble reaction mixtures and wash solvents by filtration. Filtration may be performed either by vacuum or the use of nitrogen pressure. The contents of the vessel may be agitated by shaking the entire vessel or by mechanical stirrer.

In cycle 31 the BHA resin is placed in the reaction vessel and suspended in a solvent such as methylene chloride, chloroform, dimethylformamide, benzene or equivalents thereof in proportions of about 3 to 12 ml. of solvent per gram of resin. To this is added BOC-L-proline in an amount of about 1 to 6 equivalents per free amine equivalent of the BHA resin employed. After a period of mixing of 5 to 10 minutes, a coupling reagent (CA) such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) may be added, or other diimide coupling agents may be used. The diimide coupling agent may be used in the amount of 0.5 to 2.0 equivalents per equivalent of BOC-L-proline use.

The BOC-L-proline may be coupled in the absence of a coupling reagent if its active ester derivative, its azide derivative, its symmetrical anhydride derivative, or a suitably chose mixed anhydride derivative is used. Active ester derivatives that may be employed are 2-nitrophenyl ester, 4-nitrophenyl ester, pentafluorophenyl ester, N-hydroxysuccimide ester or equivalents thereof. The active esters are used in amounts of 1 to 10 equivalents per free amine equivalent of BHA resin.

The reaction mixture consisting of the BHA resin, the solvent, the BOC-L-proline, and the coupling reagent or BOC-L-proline active ester is stirred or shaken mechanically until the reaction is complete as indicated by a ninhydrin test [E. Kaiser, et al., Anal. Biochem., 34, 595-8 (1970)] on a test sample. After completion of the coupling reaction, the BOC-L-proline resin may be washed with solvents such as methylene chloride, chloroform, methyl alcohol, benzene, dimethylformamide, or acetic acid. The amount of wash solvent may suitably be 5 to 20 ml. of solvent for each gram of BHA resin used initially. If it is desired to terminate the coupling reaction before completion, the washing procedure may be used and the remaining free amino groups on the BOC-L-proline resin may be blocked from further reaction by acetylation with an excess of acetylation reagents. The acetylation procedure may be performed by agitating the BOC-L-proline resin with a solution of the acetylation reagent for a period of 0.5 to 12 hours. Acetylation reagents such as N-acetylimidazole in methylene chloride solution or a mixture of acetic anhydride and triethylamine in chloroform may be used. The acetylation reagent may be used in the amount of 0.5 to 5.0 equivalents per equivalent of free amine titer of the starting BHA resin.

The coupling reaction to produce the BOC-L-proline resin may be described by the following formula: ##STR8##

Deprotection of BOC-L-Proline Resin

The BOC-L-proline resin produced as above described may be washed with a solvent such as referred to above and deprotected by agitating it with an agent such as a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in a solvent such as methylene chloride, chloroform, benzene or equivalents thereof. The amount of TFA in the solvent may vary from 10 to 100% of the mixture. The amount of TFA-solvent mixture may vary from 3 to 20 ml. per gram of BHA resin used initially. The reaction time may be from about 10 minutes to 4 hours. The deprotection step is terminated by filtration to remove the TFA-solvent mixture. The residual TFA may be removed from the L-proline resin by washing with 3 to 20 ml. per gram of BHA resin of a 5 to 30% of triethylamine solution in a solvent such as methylene chloride, chloroform, benzene or equivalents thereof. Other tertiary or secondary organic amines may be used in place of the triethylamine, such as, trimethylamine, N-ethylpiperidine, diisopropylamine or equivalents thereof. The free amine titer of the L-proline resin may be determined by the Dorman titration procedure [Dorman, L. C., Tetrahedron Letters, 1969, 2319-21]. The deprotection reaction may be described by the following formula: ##STR9##

CYCLE 30

The prolyl-BHA resin obtained as a result of cycle 31 may be suspended in a coupling solvent, BOC-O-Bz-L-threonine added and the mixture equilibrated in the same manner. The coupling agent, DCC, may be added, and after completion of the reaction as indicated by the isatin test [E. Kaiser, et al., Anal. Chem. Acta, 118, 149-51 (1980)], the reaction mixture may be removed from the BOC-O-Bz-threonylprolyl-BHA resin by filtration. The peptide resin may be washed with solvents. The amounts of reactants and solvents and reaction times may be the same as described in cycle 31. The BOC group may be removed from the peptide resin by the deprotection method described in the cycle 31. The resulting O-Bz-threonylprolyl-BHA resin is then ready for cycle 29. The reactions of the cycle 30 may be shown by the following formula: ##STR10##

For convenience, we may write this resulting resin peptide using abbreviated nomenclature as follows: ##STR11##

CYCLE 29

In cycle 29, the coupling reaction and also the deprotection reaction may be performed in the same manner as in cycle 30 except that BOC-glycine is used in place of BOC-O-Bz-L-threonine. The reaction through coupling and deprotection may be written: ##STR12##

CYCLE 28

In cycle 28, the coupling and deprotection reactions may be performed in the same manner as in cycle 30 except for the substitution of BOC-O-Bz-L-serine as the amino acid derivative. This may be written: ##STR13##

CYCLE 27

In cycle 27, the coupling a deprotection reactions are performed as described in cycle 30, except that BOC-glycine is substituted as the amino acid reactant. These reactions through coupling and deprotection may be written as follows: ##STR14##

CYCLE 26

In this cycle, the coupling and deprotection reactions may be as in cycle 30 using the same amino acid reactant, resulting in the following compound: ##STR15##

CYCLE 25

In cycle 25, the coupling reaction is performed using an active ester derivative of BOC-L-asparagine. The active ester procedure is used in place of the DCC coupling agent with BOC-L-asparagine or BOC-L-glutamine. The reaction using the active ester derivative of BOC-L-asparagine may be performed in the amount of 2 to 10 equivalents per free amine equivalent of BHA resin in dimethylformamide, mixtures of dimethylformamide with benzene, methylene chloride or chloroform or with equivalents thereof in the amount of 2 to 20 ml. of solvent per gram of BHA resin used initially.

Reaction times range from 1 to 72 hours. The reaction mixture may be removed from the BOC peptide resin by filtration after completion of the reaction as indicated by a ninhydrin test. The active ester derivatives employed may be 2-nitrophenyl esters, 4-nitrophenyl esters, pentafluorophenyl esters, or equivalents thereof. We use AE to designate the active ester portion of the derivative. The coupling reaction may be written: ##STR16##

The deprotection reaction to remove the BOC group is performed as in cycle 31.

CYCLES 24-20

In each of cycles 24 to 20, the coupling and deprotection reactions may be conducted using the methods and proportions of reactants as in cycle 30, using BOC-O-Bz-L-threonine in cycle 24, BOC-omega-T-L-arginine in cycle 23, BOC-L-proline in cycle 22, BOC-W-L-tyrosine in cycle 21, and BOC-O-Bz-L-threonine in cycle 20. The compound resulting from the completion of cycle 20 may be written: ##STR17##

CYCLE 19

In cycle 19, the coupling and deprotection reactions may be performed using the methods and proportions of reactants as in cycle 25 using a BOC-L-glutamine active ester derivative as the amino acid derivative, resulting in the compound: ##STR18##

CYCLE 18

In cycle 18, we may use as the amino acid derivative BOC-epsilon-V-L-lysine. Otherwise, cycle 18 methods may be performed as in cycle 30 resulting in the compound: n ##STR19##

CYCLE 17-15

Cycles 17 to 15 may be performed as in cycle 30 except for the use of BOC-N(im)-V-L-glutamic acid Bz ester (Bz represents the same groups as it represents for serine and threonine) as the reactant in cycle 15, resulting in the following compound from cycle 15: ##STR20##

CYCLES 14-8

Cycles 14 may be performed identically to cycle 19 using BOC-L-glutamine-AE as the amino acid derivative. Cycles 13 to 8 may be performed as in cycle 30 except for the use of BOC-O-Bz-L-serine in cycle 13, BOC-L-leucine in cycle 12, BOC-epsilon-V-L-lysine in cycle 11, BOC-glycine in cycle 10, BOC-L-leucine in cycle 9, and BOC-L-valine in cycle 8 resulting in the compound: ##STR21##

CYCLE 7

Cycle 7 may be performed as in cycle 30 except for the use of BOC-L-alanine for the amino acid derivative. The compound resulting from cycle 7 is described by the formula: ##STR22##

CYCLES 6-2

Cycles 6 to 4 may be performed as in cycle 30 except that BOC-O-Bz-L-threonine be used as the amino acid derivative in cycle 6, BOC-O-Bz-L-serine may be used as the amino acid derivative in cycle 5 and cycle 2, and BOC-L-leucine maybe used in cycle 4 as the amino acid derivative. Cycle 3 may be performed identically to cycle 25 using BOC-L-asparagine active ester. The compound resulting from cycle 2 is: ##STR23##

CYCLE 1

This cycle is performed identically to cycle 7.

ACYLATION CYCLE

The BOC may be removed from the peptide resin by the deprotection method previously described. The resulting de-BOC'd 1 to 31 BHA resin peptide is then ready for coupling with propionic acid. This acylation cycle is performed identically to cycle 1 except that propionic acid is used instead of BOC-L-alanine. The compound resulting from the acylation cycle is illustrated by the formula: ##STR24##

The acylation cycle represents the completion of the resin peptide. The resin peptide may be removed from the reaction vessel and dried in a vacuum. The weight of the resin peptide may be expected to be from 2.0 to 3.5 times the weight of BHA resin used initially in the synthesis.

Resin Peptide Cleavage

The peptide is cleaved from the resin peptide resulting from cycle 1 by treatment with liquid hydrogen fluoride (HF). The HF cleavage reaction may be performed by treating a mixture of the resin peptide and anisole (0.5 to 5 ml. for each gram of resin peptide) with liquid HF 2 to 20 ml. for each gram of resin peptide) for 0.5 to 20 hours at -20 degrees to +15 degrees centigrade. After the reaction period, the excess HF may be removed by evaporation and the resulting mixture of peptide and resin beads may be extracted with organic solvent such as ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, benzene or the like to remove the anisole and residual HF. The peptide may be separated from the resin beads by extraction into aqueous acetic acid.

The HF treatment removes all blocking groups from the peptide.

Thus, the peptides obtained after HF cleavage is of the following type: ##STR25## Any calcitonin so synthesized is designed [N-alpha-Propionyl-1,7-Di-Alanine, Des-19-Leucine]calcitonin.

Purification Of The Crude [N-Alpha-Propionyl-1,7-Di-Alanine Des-19-Leucine] Salmon Calcitonin

The crude peptide solutions at pH 5.0 from the above synthesis may be concentrated using an ion-exchange procedure. The concentrate may be purified by a combination of gel-filtration procedures, ion-exchange chromatrography methods and partition chromatography. The final purified product may be obtained from solution by freeze-drying as a fluffy white solid. The product gives the correct amino analysis for the desired peptide.

Following is the specific example of the preparation of the peptide.

EXAMPLE 1 Resin Activation

The BHA resin (5 g.) with an amine titer of 0.61 meq./g. was placed in the reactor vessel of a peptide synthesizer marketed by Vega Biochemicals of Tucson, Ariz. The resin was treated with 25 ml. of the following solvents filtering after each treatment:

Methylene chloride for 2 minutes

Chloroform for 2 minutes two times each

10% triethylamine in chloroform for 5 minutes two times each

Chloroform for 2 minutes

Methylene chloride for 2 minutes three times each

Cycle 31

Coupling: The BHA resin, 25 ml. of methylene chloride and 1.31 g. (0.0061 moles) of BOC-L-proline was stirred for 10 minutes. 6.1 ml of methylene chloride solution of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (1 milliequivalent of DCC per 1 ml. of solution) was added to the reactor and the mixture agitated for 6 hours. The reaction mixture was removed from the reactor by filtration and the BOC-prolyl BHA resin was subjected to the following successive 2 minutes, 25 ml. washes, removing the wash by filtration each time:

Methylene chloride two times

Methyl alcohol two times

Methylene chloride three times

Acetylation: The resin was then agitated with a mixture of 1.5 ml. of triethylamine (TEA), 1 ml. of acetic anhydride and 25 ml. of chloroform for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was removed by filtration and the resin subjected to the following 2 minutes, 25 ml. washes:

Chloroform two times

Methyl alcohol two times

Methylene chloride three times

Deprotection: The BOC-protected resin was agitated for 5 minutes with a mixture of 15 ml. of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and 15 ml. of methylene chloride. This mixture was removed by filtration and the resin was agitated with a second mixture of 15 ml. of TFA and 15 ml. of methylene chloride for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was removed by filtration and the resin subject to the following 25 ml. washes:

Methylene chloride two times two minutes each

Methyl alcohol two times two minutes each

Chloroform two times two minutes each

10% TEA in chloroform two times ten minutes each

Chloroform two times two minutes each

Methylene chloride two times two minutes each

Methylene chloride two times two minutes each

The L-proline BHA resin was titrated to establish the amine or proline titer. This value was 0.55 milliequivalents of amine or proline per gram of resin.

Cycle 30

Coupling: The L-prolyl resin, 25 ml. of methylene chloride and 1.64 g. (0.0053 mole) of BOC-O-benzyl-L-threonine were agitated for 10 minutes. Then 5.5 ml. of methylene chloride solution of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (1 milliequivalent of DCC) was added to the reactor and the mixture agitated for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was removed from the reactor and the resin was subjected to the following successive 2 minutes, 25 ml. washes, removing the wash by filtration each time.

Methylene chloride two times

Methyl alcohol two times

Methylene chloride three times

An isatin test was negative

Deprotection: The deprotection procedure described in cycle 31 was repeated for this cycle.

Cycles 29 through 26

The coupling and deprotection procedures used in these cycles were the same as in cycle 31 except that the following amino acid derivatives were used in place of the threonine derivative:

Cycle 29--0.93 g. (0.0053 mole) of BOC glycine

Cycle 28-1.55 g. (0.0053 mole) of BOC-O-benzyl-L-serine

Cycle 27--The reactant used was the same as cycle 29

Cycle 26--The reactant used was the same as cycle 30

Cycle 25

Coupling: The peptide resin obtained from cycle 26 was washed twice with 25 ml. portions of dimethylformamide (DMF). The resin was then agitated for 24 hours with a solution of 2.82 g. (0.008 mole) of BOC-L-asparagine p-nitrophenyl ester in 35 ml. of DMF. The reaction mixture was filtered and the resin peptide subjected to two minute washes with two successive 25 ml. portions of the following solvents: DMF, Methylene chloride, methanol, methylene chloride. Each individual solvent was removed by filtration. A ninhydrin test was negative.

Deprotection: The deprotection procedure used in cycle 31 was repeated.

Cycle 24

Coupling and deprotection procedures were the same as in cycle 30 using the same reactants and amounts.

Cycle 23

Coupling: The resin peptide obtained from cycle 24 was washed with two successive 25 ml. portions of DMF. The resin peptide was then agitated for 10 minutes with a mixture of 3.42 g. (0.008 mole) of BOC-N-omega-tosyl-L-arginine and 25 ml. of DMF. Then 8 ml. of DCC in methylene chloride (equivalent to 0.008 mole of DCC) was added and the mixture agitated for 6 hours. The reaction mixture was removed by filtration. The resin peptide was subjected to two minute washes with two successive 25 ml. portions of the following solvents: DMF, methylene chloride, methyl alcohol, methylene chloride. The ninhydrin test was negative.

Deprotection: The deprotection used in cycle 31 was repeated.

Cycle 22

Coupling: The peptide resin obtained from cycle 23 was agitated for 10 minutes with 1.72 g. (0.008 mole) of BOC-L-proline and 25 ml. of methylene chloride. 8 ml. of DCC in methylene chloride (equivalent to 0.008 mole of DCC) was added and the mixture agitated for 6 hours. The reaction mixture was removed by filtration and the resin peptide subjected to two minute washes with two successive 25 ml. portions of the following solvents: methylene chloride, methyl alcohol, methylene chloride. Each individual wash was removed by filtration. The ninhydrin test was negative.

Deprotection: The deprotection used in cycle 31 was repeated.

Cycle 21 and 20

The coupling the deprotection procedures used in this cycle was the same as in cycle 22 except that in the coupling reaction the following amino acid derivative was used in place of BOC-L-proline.

Cycle 21--4.07 g. (0.008 mole) BOC-O-2-bromobenzyloxycarbonyl-L-tyrosine

Cycle 20--2.47 g. (0.008 mole) BOC-O-benzyl-L-threonine

Cycle 19

This procedure is the same as cycle 25 except that 2.94 g. (0.008 mole) of BOC-L-glutamine p-nitrophenyl ester is used in place of the asparagine derivative.

Cycles 18 through 14

The procedure is the same as used in cycle 29 except that the following amino acid derivatives were used in place of the threonine derivative:

Cycle 18--2.20 g. (0.0053 mole) of BOC-epsilon-2-chloro benzyloxy-L-lysine

Cycle 17--2.06 g. (0.0053 mole) of BOC-N(im)-carbobenzyloxy-L-histidine

Cycle 16--1.32 g. (0.0053 mole) of BOC-L-leucine

Cycle 15--1.79 g. (0.0053 mole) of BOC-L-glutamic acid-gamma-benzyle ester.

Cycle 14

Same as cycle 19.

Cycle 13

The procedure used was the same as was used in cycle 22 except that in the coupling reaction 2.36 g. (0.008 mole) of BOC-O-benzyl-L-serine was used in place of the proline derivative.

Cycles 12 through 9

The procedures used were the same as used in cycle 31 except in the coupling reactions the following amine acid derivatives were used in place of the threonine derivative.

Cycle 12--Same reactants as used in cycle 16

Cycle 11--The reactants were the same as in cycle 18

Cycle 10--Same reactants as used in cycle 29

Cycle 9--Same reactants as used in cycle 16

Cycle 8

Coupling: The resin peptide from cycle 9 was agitated for 10 minutes with 1.74 g. (0.008 mole) of BOC-L-valine and 25 ml. of methylene chloride. Then 8 ml. of DCC in methylene chloride (equivalent to 0.008 mole of DCC) was added and the mixture agitated for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was removed by filtration. The resin peptide was subjected to two minute washes with two successive 25 ml. portions of the following solvents: methylene chloride, methyl alcohol, methylene chloride. Each individual wash was removed by filtration.

Deprotection: See cycle 30.

Cycle 7

The procedure was the same as used in cycle 30 except that in the coupling reaction 1.06 g. (0.0053) of BOC-L-alanine was used in place of the threonine derivative.

Cycle 6

The reactants and procedures used were the same as cycle 30.

Cycle 5

The reactants and procedures used were the same as cycle 28.

Cycle 4

The reactants and procedures used were the same as cycle 16.

Cycle 3

The reactants and procedures used were the same as cycle 25.

Cycle 2

The reactants and procedures used were the same as cycle 28.

Cycle 1

The reactants and procedures used were the same as cycle 7.

Deprotection: The deprotection procedure described in cycle 31 was repeated for this cycle.

Propionolation: The resin peptide, 35 ml. of methylene chloride and 0.74 g. (0.01 mole) of propionic acid were agitated for 10 minutes. Then 11 ml. of methylene chloride solution of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (1 meq. of DCC per 1 ml.) was added to the reaction and the mixture agitated for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was removed from the reactor and the resin washed as described in cycle 30. The resin peptide was finally washed with two successive 25 ml. portions of n-hexane. The peptide material was removed from the reactor and dried in a vacuum oven at 40° C. at 0.1 mm. of Hg. for 24 hours.

Cleavage with Hydrogen Fluoride

The dried resin peptide (2 g.) and 2 ml. of anisole were placed in a Teflon reaction vessel. The vessel equipped with a Teflon-coated magnet stirrer was placed in a dry ice-acetone bath and 15 ml. of hydrogen fluoride gas was condensed into the vessel. This mixture was stirred at 0 degrees Centigrade in an ice bath for 1 hour. The hydrogen fluoride was removed by evaporation at reduced pressure. The residue was triturated with six 25 ml. portions of ethyl acetate. The peptide was extracted from the resin beads with 200 ml. of 0.1 molar aqueous acetic solution.

Purification of the Crude [N-Alpha-Propionyl-1,7-Di-Alanine, Des-19-Leucine] SCT

The 200 ml. of sodium from the above synthesis at pH 5.0 was concentrated using a SP-25 ion-exchange column. The 25 ml. concentrate removed from the column with 0.7 molar sodium chloride solution was desalted and purified by passing through a Sephadex G-25 (fine) gel-filtration column and eluting with 0.03 molar aqueous acetic acid solution. The [N-alpha-Propionyl-Di-Ala¹,7, Des-Leu¹⁹ ] SCT fraction from this column was adjusted to pH 6 by the addition of ammonium hydroxide solution. This solution was further purified by ion-exchange chromatography using a Whatman CM-52 column eluted with ammonium acetate buffer. The [N-alpha-Propionyl-Di-Ala¹,7, Des-Leu¹⁹ ] SCT fraction from this column was adjusted to pH 5.0 by addition of glacial acetic acid. This solution was concentrated using a SP-Sephadex C-25 ion-exchange column. The 30 ml. concentrate removed from the column with 0.7 molar sodium chloride solution was desalted with a Sephadex G-25 (fine) gel-filtration column. The peptide fraction was collected and freeze-dried. The product was further purified by partition chromatography using a Sephadex G-25 fine column and the solvent system: n-butanol, ethanol, 0.2N ammonium acetate containing 0.04% acetic acid (4-1-5). The product elutes from the column at an Rf value of 0.50. The fractions containing the product were combined and the n-butanol removed by evaporation. The product was recovered by lyophilization. The solid was then gel-filtered on a Sephadex G-25 (fine) column with 0.2M acetic acid solution. The purified peptide fraction was collected and lyophilized.

The product was obtained as a fluffy white solid. Amino acid analysis of the product after acid hydrolysis in the presence of phenol is given in Table I.

Purification of [1,7 Di-Alanine, Des-19-Leucine]Salmon Calcitonin

The 200 ml. of solution from the cleavage extract at pH 5.0 was concentrated using an SP-25 ion-exchange column. The 25 ml. concentrate removed from the column with 0.7 molar sodium chloride solution was desalted and purified by passing through a Sephadex G-25 (fine) gel-filtration column and eluting 0.03 molar aqueous acetic acid solution. The [Di-Ala¹,7, des-Leu¹⁹ ]-SCT fraction from this column was adjusted to pH 6 by the addition of ammonium hydroxide solution. This solution was further purified by ion-exchange chromatography using a Whatman CM-52 column eluted with ammonium acetate buffer.

The semi-pure peptide from the Cm-52 column was not soluble in the upper-phase of the partitioning systems. The analog [Di-Ala¹,7, des-Leu¹⁹ ]-SCT was further purified via HPLC, on a column (5.7×30 cm) containing C-18-derrivatized silica. The column was eluted with aqueous buffers containing 12.5 and 60% acetonitrile (both containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid) respectively. Fractions containing the target peptide that were of equivalent purity were combined and lyophilized. The resulting peptide trifluoroacetate salt was converted to its corresponding acetate salt by ion exchange chromatography on an SP, C-25-Sephadex column, followed by gel filtration and lypophilization to give a fluffy white powder. See Table I for amino acid analysis and potency data.

Biological Assay of Calcitonin Analogs in Vivo

The biological potency of [N-alpha-Propionyl-1,7-Di-Ala,Des-19-Leu] salmon calcitonin was determined by comparing the reduction of serum calcium concentration which followed administration by graded doses of [N-alpha-Propionyl-1,7-Di-Ala,Des-19-Leu] SCT and synthetic salmon calcitonin standard. Rats were divided into four groups of seven animals, and each group was assigned at random to a dose of standard or test solution. Low and high doses were chosen from the linear portion of the dose-response curve. For the salmon calcitonin standard, the values were 0.7 and 2.1 mcg. peptide/100 g. BW. Peptides were given by subcutaneous injection (0.2 ml/100 g. BW) and blood was withdrawn 1 hour later for serum calcium determination. Sera are processed and analyzed within two hours of collection. Results were analyzed within two hours of collection. Results were analyzed by a 2×2 parallel line assay [Gaddum, J. H., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 6, 345 (1953)]. The standard salmon calcitonin used was independently determined to contain greater than 4,000 IU/mg.

The Amino Acid Analysis, Partitioning Rf Values and Potencies, obtained as above, are shown in Table II for preferred calcitonin analogs.

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Amino Acid Analysis, Partitioning Rf Values and                                Potencies of Calcitonin Analogs                                                [1,7-Di-Alanine, Des-19-Leucine]Calcitonin                                                           Des-1-Amino,                                                                           N--Alpha-                                        Parent        Des-1-Amino                                                                            8-Glycine                                                                              Propionyl                                        (Calc.)   Found                                                                              (Calc.)                                                                            Found                                                                              (Calc.)                                                                            Found                                                                              (Calc.)                                                                            Found                                        __________________________________________________________________________     Ala   (2) 2.0 (1) 1   (1) 1   (2) 2                                            Arg   (1) .97 (1) .98 (1) .96 (1) .9                                           Asp   (2) 2   (2) 2   (2) 2   (2) 2                                            Glu   (3) 3   (3) 3   (3) 3   (3) 3                                            Gly   (3) 3   (3) 3   (3) 3.9 (3) 2.9                                          His   (1) .96 (1) .95 (1) .96 (1) .95                                          Leu   (4) 4.1 (4) 4.2 (4) 4.2 (4) 4.3                                          Lys   (2) 1.9 (2) 2   (2) 2   (2) 2                                            Pro   (2) 2.0 (2) 2   (2) 2   (2) 2                                            Ser   (4) 3.8 (4) 3.7 (4) 3.7 (4) 3.6                                          Thr   (5) 5.1 (5) 5.2 (5) 5.2 (5) 5.1                                          Tyr   (1) 0.9 (1) .91 (1) .93 (1) .92                                          Val   (1) 1.  (1) 1   (0) 1   (1) 1                                            NH.sub.3                                                                             (5) 5.2 (5) 5.2 (5) 5.2 (5) 5.1                                          Partition Rf                                                                         Note 1  0.48    0.23     0.50                                            Potency                                                                              7400 Iu/mg                                                                             7300 Iu/mg                                                                             5900 Iu/mg                                                                             7600 Iu/mg                                       95% Limits                                                                           (6551-8314)                                                                            (6356-8479)                                                                            (4991-6879)                                                                            (6023-9493)                                      __________________________________________________________________________      Note 1:                                                                        analog not partitionable in given solvent system. The analog was purified      via HPLC.                                                                

While only certain embodiments of our invention have been described in specific detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that many other specific embodiments may be practiced and many changes may be made, all within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. [N-alpha-X, 1,7-Di-Alanine, (8-Y) Des-19-Leucine] calcitonin, whereinX is the N-alpha amino substituent and is H or an acyl group derived from a carboxylic acid having 1-10 carbon atoms, Y is L-valine, glycine, L-methonine, L-alanine, L-leucine or L-isoleucine and wherein the calcitonin is salmon, eel or chicken calcitonin.
 2. [N-alpha-X, 1,7-Di-Alanine, Des-19-Leucine] calcitonin, whereinX is the N-alpha amino substituent and is an acyl group derived from a carboxylic acid having C₁₋₅ carbon atoms and wherein the calcitonin is salmon, eel, or chicken calcitonin.
 3. [N-alpha-Propionyl, 1,7-Di-Alanine, Des-19-Leucine] calcitonin, wherein the calcitonin is salmon, eel or chicken calcitonin.
 4. [N-alpha-Propionyl, 1,7-Di-Alanine, Des-19-Leucine] salmon calcitonin.
 5. Des-1-amino, 1,7-Di-Alanine, Des-19-Leucine calcitonin, wherein the calcitonin is salmon, eel or chicken calcitonin.
 6. The calcitonin of claim 5 wherein the calcitonin is salmon calcitonin.
 7. [1,7-Di-Alanine, 8-Glycine, Des-19-Leucine] calcitonin wherein the calcitonin is salmon, eel or chicken calcitonin.
 8. [1,7-Di-Alanine, 8-Glycine, Des-19-Leucine] salmon calcitonin. 